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“We wanted one space that was just a little different,” Chambers told WXIA. “It’s not a, you know, aggressive hetero-jock space that’s dominated by cops and soldiers. You’re safe from that.”

“And we don’t want to make police stronger so they can hurt people more efficiently,” Chambers said.

On why he doesn’t allow armed forces members in his gym, Chambers said it’s “not a personal thing.”

“If you put a uniform on, quite honestly, I view that as an occupying enemy army,” he said.

The Atlanta Police Department said the gym’s “no cops” policy would not stop its law enforcement officers from responding to an emergency.

“Were we to respond to an emergency there, this sign would not stop us from lawfully doing our job,” the Atlanta Police Department told WXIA.

Since law enforcement officers and members of the military are not considered a protected class under the law, it’s unlikely the gym is violating any anti-discrimination laws, according to lawyers who spoke with WXIA.